Learning Outcomes

Identify and describe the range of information sources used by a specific user group

* Outline how to study what information sources are used by specific users

* Outline the value and function of a range of information sources

* Discuss the value of various tools providing access to information sources

* Use IT skills to gain access to a range of tools required by information users to access information

* Describe how to evaluate various information sources

Brief description

This module adopts a user-centred approach to the study of information use and information sources. It examines what sources are used by particular user groups and why. Practical experience is provided in using various information tools, such as the Internet and other electronic information resources, bibliographies and bibliographic utilities, which provide users with access to the information they require, either directly or indirectly. As more users are now involved in searching for their own information, the module will also examine how to evaluate sources of information, especially those available on the world wide web.

Aims

People are surrounded by information, which they receive and disseminate all day, every day. Users, either individually or as members of a group, obtain information from a bewildering variety of places, using a constantly changing range of sources, including formal and informal, published and unpublished, print and electronic, which ideally should reflect the particular information need being met. This module aims to examine what information sources are used by various users, for what purpose and to meet what needs. It will examine how to investigate the information needs and use of particular user groups, what information tools provide access to formal/published sources, including various bibliographies and bibliographic utilities, abstracting and indexing services, and Internet search engines, and what the particular information functions are of certain information sources. Given the increasing facility with which users can undertake their own searching in the expanding electronic information environment, both to retrieve references to the particular information sources they need and/or directly to the required information itself, this module will also examine how users might evaluate the information sources they use.

Module Skills

Skills Type

Skills details

Information Technology

Students will be required to examine a range of information sources, available electronically, as Internet sites, online databases and in other electronic formats.

Personal Development and Career planning

This module encourages the development of certain skills needed by all information professionals.

Subject Specific Skills

* Writing in an academic context: report written according to normal academic conventions
* Oral discussion and presentation: oral contributionsnin seminars -
* Self-management: group work requires decision on each member's contribution and setting deadlines for individuals as well as the group

Team work

This module involves a piece of assessed course work produced by a group. Students will have to consider how to work together to produce the course work an dhow to communicate with each other as a group.